I’ve discovered a newfound love for dresses while working from home these past several months. They take such little effort to style each morning and are comfortable to sit in for hours on end—something I can’t quite say about my favorite jeans or leather pants.
I did a little research, and it turns out there are so many great options right now that are actually—wait for it—affordable. I’m talking under-$50-a-dress affordable, and I found them all at Walmart. The women behind one of my current favorite Instagram accounts, @influencingincolor, are already on board. Brandy Gueary, Nikki Gamble, Shay Sweeney, and Meghan Adams are such a positive force in their dedication to sharing diverse, inclusive style and voices with their ever-growing digital community. Their fashion picks are typically affordable and on-trend, too, like the dress-and-boots outfits I’ve spotted them wearing lately. See their styling ideas and shop all of the under-$50 dresses I have my eyes on below.
Gueary’s outfit is a great example of how to make florals feel appropriate for cooler weather. She expertly balances out the softer microprint with a moto-style jacket and lug-sole boots. While I’m over here focusing on how very cool and on-trend her outfit is, she brings me back to earth with a little reminder of the importance of versatility. “I can pair the dress with leggings when I’m with the kids or if it’s chilly outside. I can also do a front tuck into jeans and style it as a tunic. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what is important to me,” she says.
Gamble describes her cold-weather style as “easy, functional, warm, and classic but still on-trend,” which pretty much sums up my description of her dress outfit. Plaid is one of those prints that always feels very seasonal, and I personally never tire of it. I love that Gamble adds some color with her accessories here, which feels a little less expected and a little more fun than wearing black ones. Plus, I always love a mock-croc bag or pair of boots like the square-toe pair she chose, so you know I’m a fan of this ‘fit.
Sweeney’s maxi dress has so many little details that make it look way more expensive than its $40 price tag. The cinching on the sleeves, ruffled hem, and subtle polka-dot print are just a few that caught my eye. While I love that she keeps things simple with a pair of heeled suede booties, she also suggests a pair of sneakers and a denim jacket for a more casual styling option.
Adams is firm about her stance on leopard print: It’s a neutral now—not a trend. “I love that you don’t have to go overboard with additional pieces or accessories when wearing leopard print because it makes a statement on its own,” she tells me. This leopard wrap dress proves her point: It requires minimal styling to feel like a complete look.
